Nikos Kovis

Nikos Kovis (born 6 January 1953), known as Niko Kovi in Turkey, is a Turkish-Greek football player and manager. He was a central defender. He was born in Istanbul.

Nikos Kovis was the Technical Director of the youth academies of Panathinaikos until 2010.http://www.pao.gr/document.php?category_id=73&document_id=1233{{Dead link|date=May 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

He was the fourth Greek origin football player who played for Turkey National team, after Fenerbahçe S.K. legend Lefter Küçükandonyadis, legendary İstanbulspor captain Koço Kasapoğlu and Beşiktaş J.K. Aleko Yordan.{{Cite web | url=https://www.angelfire.com/nj/sivritepe/5657/znta.html |title = 1956–1957 Turkish National Team}}

There is another Greek player born in Turkey and played for Turkish teams. Alekos Sofianidis was Beşiktaş J.K. left back, but never played for the Turkey national team.

International career

He played for the Turkey national team on four different levels, 5 times A National, 3 times B National, 5 times Under-23, and 3 times for A-Youth.{{cite web |url=http://www.turkfutbolu.net/millitakim/millifutbolcu.html#14 |title=Ki̇m Kaç Kere Mi̇lli̇ Oldu? |website=www.turkfutbolu.net |access-date=15 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040610230928/http://www.turkfutbolu.net/millitakim/millifutbolcu.html#14 |archive-date=10 June 2004 |url-status=dead}}

Managerial history

After he retired Kovis coached Levadiakos F.C., Panargiakos F.C., Proodeftiki F.C., PAS Giannina, EAR, Panarkadikos, Athinaikos and Apollon Smyrnis F.C.http://www.wldcup.com/news/2001Jan/20010130_7067_world_soccer.html{{Dead link|date=October 2024}}

Records and honours

Kovis won Turkish Cup with Beşiktaş J.K. in 1975, scoring in the second leg against Trabzonspor.{{Cite web | url=http://www.kartalyuvasi.net/trkupasitarihi.htm |title = Kartalyuvasi.net}}

He also won Başbakanlık Kupası (Turkish Presidential Cup) in 1974 scoring the vital goal for Beşiktaş J.K. against Bursaspor.{{Cite web |url=http://www.angelfire.com/nj/sivritepe/BB.html |title=Turkish Soccer - Başbakanlık Kupası |access-date=16 January 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081227084309/http://www.angelfire.com/nj/sivritepe/BB.html |archive-date=27 December 2008 |url-status=dead}}

Kovis won Greek Cup with Panathinaikos in 1982.{{Cite web | url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesg/grk82.html | title=Greece 1981/82}}

Playing career

{{Cite web | url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesg/grk84.html | title=Greece 1983/84}}

He began his career with Vefa SK in 1970. After 2 years with Vefa SK, Kovis moved to Beşiktaş J.K. in 1972 and played for 6 seasons. He then transferred to Panathinaikos in 1978 playing for them for 5 seasons. Kovis also played for OFI for two seasons and retired in 1985.